Machine for cutting ratan.



No. 64mm. f Patented May I5, 1900. J. POMEBOY & H. w. LABSSDN.

MACHINE FOB CUTTING RATAN.

(Application filed Mar. 21, 1898.) (No Model.) I4 ShaetsSheet I.

lli

INVENTORJ WITNESSES:

ma norm PETERS c0, Pum'ouwo WASHINGTON u. c.

No. 649,676. Patented ma l5, I900. .1. PUMEROY & H. w. LARSSON.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAN.

(Application filed Mar. 21 1898,) (No Model.) l4 SheetsSheet 2.

Illlllllllllf ATTORNE 6.

THE warps PETERS cc. more-Luna" WASHINGTON, o, c.

m. 649,fi76. Patented May I5, woo. J. POMEROY & H. w. LARSSDN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAN.

(Application filed Mar. 21, 1398.) (No Model.) I4 Sheeis-She6t 3.

VENTOTRS WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS 1: nonms vzrzns co. PHDYO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. o. c.

Nu. 649,676. Patented May 15, I900. J. POMEBOY & H. W. LARSSDN.

MACHINE FOB CUTTING RATAN.

(Application filed. M ar. 21, 1898.)

I4 $heetsShaet 4,

(No Model.)

WITNESSES:

m: NORRIE FzrsRs co, PHOTO-LVTHO. WASHINGYCN a c,

No. 649,676. Patented May l5, I900. J. POMEROY &. H. W. LARSSUN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAH.

(Application filed. Mar. 21, 1898.) (No Model.) l4 Sheets-Shea! 5.

fiVENTORS WITNESSES BY 4% W ORNEYJ.

ATT

mrwonms PETERS co PHOTGLITNQ, WASHXNGTGN. a4 a,

No. 649,67B. Patented May 15, 1900.

J PUMERUY &. H W LABSSUN MACHINE FUR CUTTING KATA".

(No Model.) (Apphcat mam 21 1899) I4 Shanty-Shut 6.

lfiVENTORS W ATTORN Y5 No. 649,676. Patented May l5, I900. J. POMERGY 6. H. W. LABSSUN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAN.

(Application filed Mar. 21, 1898.) (No Model.)

flNVENTORS My. BY W260 M ATTOR EY\$ THE nonms Pz'rsns co, womumo mswmcwu. 0, c.

J. PUMEROY & H. W. LARSSUN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING BATAN.

(Application filed Mar. 21, 1898.) N 0 M o d e l Patented May l5, I900.

l4 Sheats$hoet 8 WITNESSES: H; 1 z1 ATTORN EYJ ENTOR 6 No. 649,676. Patented May I5, I900. J. PUMERUY & H. W. LABSSUN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAN.

(Application filed Mar. 21, 1898.) (No Model.) l4 ShB8iS-Sh8Bt 9.

WITNESSES:

VENTORS I I I W. I I I I,

BY MUM ATTORN Y4;

m: NORRlS vrrzas cu, PNOTOLITHOH wnsnmcmm. u. c,

No. 64%,fi7fi. Patented May |5, I900. J. PUMEROY &. H. W. LABSSDN. MACHINE FER CUTTING BATAN.

(Application filed Mar. 91, 1898.) ("0 Model.)

l4 Sheets-Sheet l0.

F f/i HIIHII m ENTORJ BY WM ATTORNEYJ m: Nonms PETERS cc. Pnorcumofl WASHINGYON. u. c.

N0. 649,676. Patented May l5, I900. J. POMEROY &. H. w. LARSSON.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAN.

(Application filed Mar. 21, 1898.) (N0 Model.) l4 Sheats-Sheat ll.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNE 6S.

No. 649,676. Patented May I5, I900. J. PIIMEBOY &. H. W. LARSSUN.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAN.

ATTORNEYJ l4 Sheets-Sheet l2.

(Application filed Mm. 21, 1898.)

(No Model.)

No. 649,676. Patented- May l5, I900. J. POMERUY &. H. W. LABSSON.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAN.

' (Application filed Max. 21, 1898.)

(No Model.) l4 Sheets-Sheet l3.

6.6% w 5 \II I V i m E W m 6 1 m x%\ 6% 6Q HINGTON. o. c.

m: NORRIS PETER$ co, mom Limo. ms

No. 649fi76. Patented May l5, I900. J. POMERUY & H. W. LARSSON.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING RATAN.

(Application filed. Mar. 21, 1898.) (No Modai.) l4 Shaets-Sheat l4.

BY MW ATTORN .5.

WITNESES:

TNE NORRIS PETERS co ivrrnn STATES rricn.

PATENT JULIAN POMEROY AND HENRY w. LAassornor SPRINGFIELD, MAssAciIu' sn'rrs; SAID LARSSON ASSIGNOR 'ro SAID POMEROY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 649,676, dated May 15, 1900.

Application filed March 21, 1898. Serial No. 674,576. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, JULIAN POMEROY, a citizen of the United States, and HENRY TV. LARSSON, a subject of the King of Sweden and Norway, both residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Machine for Cutting or Splitting Ratan, food, or other Material, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

The invention relates to a machine for cutting or splitting stalks or pieces of ratan, wood, or any other material, and it is especially designed for the splitting of ratan or similar stalks into uniformly-tapering strips or parts which are suitable for use in the manufacture of whips, fishing-rods, or similar articles.

lleretofore, so far as we are aware, it has been the practice in the manufacture of whips and articles of this kind to divide the stalk into two or at the most into four strips, and then by a succession of operations to trim the sides of these strips, and thus prepare them for being put together or combined so as to form the completed whip. These old methods of manufacture have involved a large number of separate operations, each one necessarily increasing the cost of the product. Moreover, these operations have been more or less complicated, requiring expensive machinery and a large amount of labor. The article formed thereby has been in many respects imperfect and unsatisfactory. Moreover, by these old methods it has never been possible to make more than one whip out of a single stalk of ratan or similar material, and frequently more than one stalk has been required for each whip.

The objects of the present invention, generally speaking, are to simplify the construction of the machinery for splitting the material, to make the operation of the machine entirely automatic, to increase the accuracy of its operation, and to decrease the cost, while at the same time improving the quality of the product.

Another objcctof the invention is to provide a device whereby a single piece or stalk of niaterial can be cut into eight equal portions or strips of full or proper size at the butt portion and equally tapering throughout the rest of the strip, whereby two complete and perfect whips or similar articles can be made from a single stalk.

Another object of the invention is to cause the stalk or other material to be split accurately along its axis or median line, whereby the material will be divided into a certain number of equal portions adapted to form whips and other articles that are regular and uniform in shape and outline.

Another object of the machine is to automatically regulate the length of the butt por tion and tapered portion of the strips.

The invention is also designed to accomplish other objects, which will be fully described hereinafter.

The invent-ion consists, first, of the combination,in a machine of the character specified, of a plurality of cutter-frames adapted to revolve in opposite directions around the path of the material or the center line thereof and cutters carried by these frames and mechanism for revolving or turning the frames in 0pposite directions around the material, whereby the cutter or cutters of one frame cut or split the material diagonallyin one direction, while the cutter or cuttersof the other frame cut or split the material diagonally in the other direction at the same time. In the best form of our invention we employ two frames, and we provide each frame with two bandsaws carried by suitable Wheels mounted in bearings in the frame, whereby the stalk or material can be out into eight equal parts.

Our invention also consists in providing each cutter-frame with two band-saws carried upon suitable wheels and so arranging the saws of each frame that these two saws will cross each other at right angles at the center of the material or the line of cutting, and in arranging each frame so as to revolve an eighth of a circle in one direction and then an eighth of a circle in the reverse direction, whereby at the beginning of the cutting the two saws of one frame are in line with the two saws of the other frame, so as to cut the butt portion of the material, and the saws are then revolved in opposite directions, so as to cut in different paths until when each frame has revolved an eighth of a circle the two saws of one frame are again in line with the two saws of the other frame, so as to out the butt portions at the other end of the stalk.

The invention also consists in providing the revolving frames with guides for the cutters or saws, which guides are adapted to revolve with the frames. In the best form of our invention these guides are mounted on independent fixed bearings in the frame of the machine, so as to have no sidewise motion, whereby the saws are guided with greater accuracy during the cutting.

The invention also consists in the special construction of these guides.

The invention also consists in certain devices and combinations of devices for revolving or turning the saw-frames. These devices consist in a revolving screw suitably supported and a nut traveling on the screw and connected with the saw-frame and means for revolving the screw. 1 This part of the in vention also includes mechanism for stopping the saw-frames at the proper time and for making the frames act properly in unison with each other. In the complete invention two shafts are emp1oyeda driving-shaft for the .two saw frames and a second shaft, which is preferably the main driving-shaft of the machine. These two shafts are adapted to be connected with each other by a clutching device. One of the revolving screws for driving the frames is provided with sliding sleeves at its ends, against which the traveling nut strikes. When the nut strikes the sleeves, the clutching device, by means of intervening mechanism, is made to disconnect the two shafts, and the saw-frames are there by brought to rest. The invention also consists in mechanism for automatically starting the saw-frames at the proper time. The mechanism comprises a pivoted arm or lever lying in the path of the material and adapted to be moved upon its pivot and thereby, through intervening mechanism, to put into operation the devices for driving the saw-frames and to thereby start the saw-frames. In the best form of our invention this pivoted arm or lever is connected with the clutching device adapted to connect the two shafts already referred to, so that when the material strikes or moves the pivoted arm or lever the two shafts are operatively connected and the saw-frames are made to revolve. The pivoted arm or lever is put at such a point in the passage of the material that the material will strike it when a sufficient length of material has been cut to form the butt of the whip.

The invention also consists in the construction and arrangement of the clutching device for connecting the two shafts and the means from the axis of the chuck.

for connecting-this clutching device with the saw-frames and with the pivoted arm or lever adapted to be moved or tripped by the ma terial.

The invention also consists in certain mechanism for driving the saw-wheels which carry the band-saws, whereby these wheels can be continuously and properly revolved, notwithstanding the revolution of the saw-frames and whether the saw-frames are in motion or at rest.

The invention also consists in a centering chuck or device suitably mounted in the machine and adapted to keep the center or axis of the stalk always in line with the center of *the machine or with the axis about which the saw-frames revolve, notwithstanding any irregularities that may exist in the size or shape of the different parts of the same stalk. This centering chuck or device is provided with clamping-jaws moving in ways in the chuck and normally pressed against the material, the jaws being so constructed and arranged as to move in or outwith one another toward or away from the material, so that the jaws are always maintained at an equal distance In the best form of our invention the clamping-jaws are made to move in inclined ways diverging toward the rear of the machine, 'so that when any part of a stalk that is too large to pass through the jaws comes in contact with the jaws the latter are moved backward and outward until they are sufficiently open to permit the stalk to pass through them, the stalk being all the time held by the jaws in a central position.

In our complete machine two centeringchucks are employed, one for each saw-frame, the jaws of the front chuck being placed at the rear end of said chuck and the jaws of the rear chuck being placed at the front end of said chuck, whereby the jaws of the two chucks are in close proximity to one another between the saw-frames and combine to support the material firmly in a central position near the point where the material is split by the cutters.

The invention also consists in the combination of suitable feed-rolls adapted to bear upon opposite sides of the material and to feed it through the machine, the feed roll or rolls on each side being mounted in bearings in a sliding plate pressed toward the material with a yielding or spring pressure, the shaft of one of the rolls on each side being provided with a worm-wheel and worms on a driving-shaft with which the worm-wheels mesh and upon which the worm-wheels ride without becoming disengaged therefrom, whereby the rolls clamp the material firmly, but with a yielding pressure, so as to accommodate any variations in the size or shape of the stalks, and whereby the connection between the rolls and their driving-shaft is maintained, no matter in what position the feed-rolls may be.

Fig. 2 is a top view.

matically.

The invention also consists in many other features of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings accompanying this specification we have shown and in the specification described a complete machine embodying all the different features of our invention; but we desire to have it understood that certain parts of our invention and certain subcombinations of parts may be used separately or in machines the other parts of which differ from what is herein described.

Our invention is fully shown in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the machine. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken just beneath the top plate of the machine, certain parts being omitted and certain other parts being shown diagram- Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal vertical section through the machine, the saw-guides and the centering-chucks being omitted. Fig. 5 is a view in detail of the sawframes and their appurtenances, their direction and'extent of movement being shown in broken lines. Fig. 6 is a top view, partly broken away, of one set of feed-wheels and a horizontal section through the supportingplate upon which one of the saw-frames turns. Fig. 7 is a detached detail view of the lock employed for the spring or buffer which presses against the sliding plate carrying the feed-rolls. Fig. Sis an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of the upper end of a feedscrew for operating the saw-frame, having a sliding sleeve and connected parts for automatically stopping the revolution of the screw. Fig. 9 is a similar view of the lower end thereof, showing also the connection between the sliding sleeves and the bell-crank lever and connecting-rod through which connection is made with the clutching device. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the bell-crank lever. Fig. 11 is a top view, partially in section and with certain parts broken away, of the clutching device for controlling the motion of the sawframes. Fig. 12 is a central vertical crosssection through the clutching device. Fig. 13 is a vertical longitudinal section through the sliding plates operating the clutching device and an elevation of the sleeves turning on the main shaft and carrying the gearcones. Fig. 1-1- is a view of the inner face of a portion of one of the saw-frames, illustrating the means for locking one of the sawguides thereto. Fig. 15 is a view of the inner face of one of the saw-guides. Fig. 16 is a horizontal section through the bearings of the upper right-hand saw-wheel shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 17 is a vertical section at right angles to the section of Fig. 16. Fig. 18 is a detail face view of the rear saw-guide de- Fig. 10 is a side Fig. 20 is a section Fig. 21 is a face Fig. 22 is an Fig. 23 is a detail tached from its saw-frame. elevation of the same. on the line 20 20 of Fig. 18.

view of the front saw-guide. elevation of the same.

view of certain parts detached. Fig. 24 is an under face view of the same parts. Fig. 25 is an outside View of the front centeringchuck, and Fig. 26 is a similar view of the rear centering-chuck, these two chucks being shown in the same relative position thatthey oecupy when in place in the machine. Figs. 27 and 28 are corresponding longitudinal sections. Fig. 29 is an end view of Fig. 251001:- ing from right to left. Fig. 30 is a section on the line 30 30 of Fig. 28. Fig. 31 is a section on the line 31 31 of Fig. 28 looking from right to left. Fig. 32 is a diagrammatic view of a stalk of ratan or other material, showing the lines of the cuts made by the saws. Fig. shows a series of cross-sections illustrating the same.

Similar numbers indicate similar parts in the different figures.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6, 1 is the frame of the machine, carrying the top plate 2. This top plate is secured in any suitable way to a supportingplate 3, having a vertical bearing-plate 4, upon which the saw-f 'ame is adapted to turn. The bearing-plate is provided with an annular ring 5, fastened in any suitable way to the rim or outer edge of the bearing-plate.

6 is the saw-frame, provided with the sawwheels 7, 8, and 9, which are mounted in suitable bearings in the saw-frames and which carry the band-saws 10 and 11. The sawframe is provided with an annular plate or ring 12, fastened to it at its middle part. The plate or ring 12 has a dovetail connection. with the bearing-plate 4 and the annular ring 5, so that the ring 12 and the saw-frame 6 are thereby supported in a central position in the machine, and the plate 12 is adapted to revolvein its bearings, and with it the sawframe 6. By this means the saw-frame is so mounted in the machine as to revolve around the center line of the path which the material is to take when passing through the machine. The saw-frame can be turned or revolved in either direction, and its motion is controlled by mechanism hereinafter described.

Each saw-frame is provided with three sawwheels, the middle saw-wheel 8 being mounted in fixed bearings in the sawframe, as shown in Fig. 5, and the saw-wheels 7 and 9 being mounted in bearings adjustable in the sawframe. The middle wheel Sis a double wheelthat is to say, it is provided with two flanges, as shown in Figs. 2 and 1, so as to carry and partially support both of the saws 10 and 11. The saw 10, for example, passes around the upper wheel 7 and then around through one of the channels of the wheel 8, formed by one of its circumferential flanges. The other saw 11 passes around the wheel 9 and then around through the other channel of the wheel 8, formed by its other circumferential flange. Motion is imparted, as will be hereinafter more fully explained, to the shaft of the middle wheel 8, and as a result of the construction already described both band'saws are material.

operated at the same rate of speed, motion being imparted to the wheels 7 and 9 from the wheel 8 through the band-saws. It will also be observed that the wheels are so mounted in the frames that the saws 10 and 1.1 cross each other at right angles at the point of cutting or at the center line of the path of the The saws 10 and 11 will therefore make cuts in the material at right angles to each other.

The machine is provided with two sawframes such as we have just described. These are arranged so as to face each other as shown in the drawings, as a result of which the saws of one frame are brought as near as possible to the saws of the other frame. The two frames, with their wheels and saws, are constructed exactly alike and are operated from the same shaft, as will be hereinafter described; but they are so connected with this shaft that they revolve in opposite directions at the same time. In the best form of our invention we so construct these frames that they are made to revolve forty-five degrees, or an eighth of a circle, in one direction and then are brought to rest for a certain length of time and then are made to revolve forty-five degrees, or an eighth of a circle, in the other direction and are again brought to rest. When the material is first fed to the saws and during the first part of the cutting operation, the saws of one frame are in line with the saws of the other frame, so that the material is cut into four equal parts. This cutting is continued until a sufficient length has been cut to form the butt of the whip or other article. Then the frames are caused to revolve one in one direction and the other in the other direction for an eighth of a cirole, thereby cutting that portion of the stalk into eight equal tapering parts. The saws of the two frames will again be in line with one another, and the frames are then brought to rest by suitable mechanism, so that during the last portion of the cutting operation the material is again out into four equal parts, thereby forming the butt portions for the second whip or article to be formed from this single piece of material. In this construction the frames are not only revolved in opposite directions at the same time, but they are revolved at the same speed and are provided with means for starting them simultaneously and for stopping them simultaneously. The movement and operation of these frames are clearly illustrated in Fig. 5, the three wheels of one frame being shown in white and the three wheels of the other frame being shown with parallel shading lines. The saws are represented in full lines in the position that they occupy at the beginning of the cutting and are represented in dotted lines in the position that they 00- cupy at the end of the cutting. The broken lines 13 represent the path of motion of the axis of the pivot connecting the frames with the travelingnuts on the operating-screws.

The lines 14 14 represent the position of the axis of the revolving screw at the beginning and also at the end of the revolution of the saw-frame. The broken lines 15 15 represent the position of the axis of the revolving screw at the middle point of revolution of the frame-that is to say, when the frame has revolved a sixteenth of a circle. The broken lines 16 16 represent the path of motion of the saw-wheel shafts, and at the middle point, which is marked on the drawings, the shaft of the wheel 7 of one frame comes in line with the shaft of the wheel 9 of the other frame.

The construction of the adjustable bear ings of the two end wheels is shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5,16, and 17. 17 is the shaft of the sawwheel, upon which the saw-wheel is adapted to turn freely. This shaft is mounted in two boxes-the inner box 18 and the outer box 19-and is held in place lengthwise by the ool= lar 20. These boxes are carried in a sliding yoke 21, which is adapted to slide in a groove or suitable way formed between the arm 6 of the saw-frame and the clamping-plate 22, bolted or otherwise suitably fastened to the frame, as fully shown in Fig. 16. The inner box 18 is pivoted in the sliding yoke by means of the two pivots or pins 23, so that this box, and with it the shaft 17, can be turned or tilted upon an axis at right angles to the line of travel of the saw at its point of cutting, whereby the.tilting of the shaft 17 will not tend to move the saw out of its proper line of travel. The outer box 19 is adjustably fastened to the sliding yoke 21 by means of the set-screw 24. (Shown in Fig. 17.) This set-screw passes through the bottom of the sliding yoke and takes into a threaded hole in the box 19, so that by turning the screw 24: box 19 can be moved back and forth in the yoke 21, and the shaft 17 can therebybe tilted on the pins 23 23 and brought and held in any desired position. We prefer to insert an elastic washer 25 between the box 19 and the yoke. By turning the screw so as to draw down the box 19 when in the position shown in Fig. 17 the shaft 17 can be tilted on its axis and the sawwheel can'thus be tilted so as to cause the band-saw to run close to the flange of the wheel, or by turning the screw in the other direction the band-saw can be made to run nearer the outer edge of the surface of the wheel. The tension of the saw can also be regulated to some extent in this way. As the position of the saw and its tension must be nicely regulated in this machine in order to do accurate work this adjustable bearing is an important feature.

The sliding yoke 21 can be moved up and down in grooves or ways by means of the setscrew 26, which is fastened at its lower end to the sliding yokeand is adapted to turn in a threaded holein the saw-frame. This afiords additional means for adjusting the position of the saw-wheels, and thereby the position and tension of the saws. In this way the bearings of the wheels 7 and 9 are made adsaw-frame with which it is connected.

justable toward or away from the bearings of the middle or adjacent wheel 8.

The mechanism forturning or revolving the saw-wheels is shown particularly in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 3, 9, and 10. Each saw-frame is provided with a revolving screw journaled in bearings in asuit-able frame 28 and adapted to be held in proper position in the frame by means of nuts or other suitable devices. The lower end of the frame 23 is made in the form of a yoke 29, (see Fig. 2,) and these yokes are pivoted upon the shafts which drive the saw-frames, as a result of which the frames can be rocked upon these shafts without disengaging the connectinggears. Each screw 27 is provided at its lower end with a beveled gear 30, which engages with a beveled gear 31 on the drivingshafts. Each screw is provided with a nut 32, adapted to travel thereon and pivotally connected with one of the saw-frames. \Vhen the screw is revolved, the nut is caused to travel up or down on the screw, according to the direction of its revolution, and thereby to revolve the The special construction of this nut is shown in Fig. 8. It consists of the inner portion or nut proper, 33, and the outer shell 34, which surrounds the nut 33 and which is attached to the saw-frame. One end of the nut 33 is enlarged, as shown in Fig. 3, and is provided with a series of holes. 35 is a screw pin adapted to turn in a threaded h ole in a lug 36, fastened to the shell 34 and projecting over the series of holes in the nut 33. The position of the nut upon the revolving screw can be adjusted by screwing out the pin 35 and then turning the nut proper, 33, upon the screw, the nut proper being adapted to turn in the shell lVhen the nut has been brought to a proper position on the screw, the pin 35 is screwed into one of the holes in the nut, and the nut is thereby prevented from turning on the screw. 37,is a lock-nut adapted to be screwed onto the other end of the nut 33, so as to lock the shell 34 in position on the nut. By this means the relative positions of the revolving screw and traveling nut can be very nicely and accurately adjusted, so as to regulate with nicety the travel of the sawframe.

The mechanism for revolving the screws is constructed as follows, (see Fig. 3:) 38 is the main driving-shaft for the saw-frames. As already explained, this is provided with a beveled gear 31, which meshes with the beveled gear 30, connected with one of the revolving screws. This d rivin g-shaf t is provided at one end with miter-gear 39, which meshes with similar gear 40 on the shaft 41, which is provided at its other end with a miter-gear 42, meshing with a miter-gear 43 on the shaft 44. This shaft 44 carries bevel-gear 31, which meshes with the beveled gear 30 on the revolving screw of the other saw-frame. The screws of both saw-frames are thus driven from the single or common driving-shaft 38. The screws and connecting-gears are so arranged that the traveling nuts are caused to move down upon theirscrews at the same time or to move up upon their screws at the same time, thereby causing the two saw-frames to revolve in opposite directions at the same time.

Motion is imparted to the saw-frame shaft 38 from a second shaft-to wit, the main driving-shaft 45 of the machine-Joy means of a clutching device or mechanism adapted to connect or disconnect the two shafts. Suitable devices are employed for automatically connecting the two shafts when a sufficient length of material has been cut to form the butt portions of the whips or other articles, so that the saw-frames will then be'put into motion, so as to cut the tapering portions of the strips. Suitable devices are also employed for automatically disconnecting the two shafts, thereby stopping the revolution of the saw-frames when the saws of these two frames have again come into line, so that the saws will then cut the other butt portions to be used in forming the second Whip or article. Suitable devices are also employed for again connecting the two shafts up in sucha way as to cause shaft 38 to revolve in the opposite direction, thereby starting the sawframes at the proper time, when another stalk or piece of material is introduced into the machine, but in an opposite direction, so as to cause the saw-frames while cutting the sec ond stalk to have exactly the reverse motion and to move back to their original position. Thus the saw-frames are caused to move first in one direction and then back again in the other direction. These automatic controlling devices are constructed as follows: At the rear of the machine a pivoted arm or lever 46 is so arranged that its end lies in the path of the material which is being cut in the ma chine, so that as the stalk or material passes through the machine it strikes against and trips the end of this arm and moves the arm upon the pivot. (See Figs. 1, 2, and 4.) WVe prefer to pivot this arm upon the shaft of one of the rear feed-wheels, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to turn loosely on that shaft. The other end of this arm is connected with one end of the rod 47. The other end of this rod is connected with a crank-arm 48, attached to the rock-shaft 49. \Ve prefer to provide the crank-arm 48 with a slot, as shown in Fig. 2, and to connect it with the rod 47 by means of a pin, whereby the throw of the arm 48 can be regulated. The rock-shaft 49 passes down through the top plate of the machine and is adapted to turn in suitable bearings therein and in the bracket 50, projecting from one of the uprights of the frame. At its lower end pawl 55.

- the slot 66.

therein and which carries at its upper end the (See Fig. 11.)

56 (see Fig. 4) is a spring fastened at one end to the frame and at the other end to the crank-arm 53 and which tends to draw the crank-arm back, and thus throw the end of the pivoted arm 46 back into the path of the material passing through the machine.

57 (see Fig.11) is a dogin the form ofa sliding plate sliding in suitable ways or guides connected with the bottom of the box containing the clutching device. This dog is provided with a projecting lug 58,against which pawl 55 is adapted to strike, so as to withdraw the dog from engagement with the upper sliding plate. This pawl is provided with a tongue or bearing-piece 59, which is ivotal at 60 to the end of the pawl and which is adapted to strike against the lug 58.

61 is a stop-pin fastened to the pawl,against which the inner end of the tongue strikes and which limits the motion of the tongue in that direction. 62 is a flat spring fastened at one end to the pawl, as shown in Fig. 11, and passing around the end of the pawl and at its free end bearing against the other side of the tongue 59. When the pawl is turned so as to make the tongue strike the lug 58, the dog 57 is forced outward until the outer corner of the tongue slips past the beveled surface of the lug. The dog 58 is then drawn back toward its former position by the coiled spring 63,0ne end of which is fastened to the dog and the other end to the supporting-frame. NVhen the pawl 55 is swung in the opposite direction,the edge or corner of the tongue 59 strikes the lug 58, and as the tongue 59 is allowed to turn on its pivot by the yielding pressure of the spring 62 the tongue 59 is forced past the lug 5S intoits original position, where it is ready to again be forced against the lug 58 and withdraw the dog 57 from engagement with the upper sliding plate of the clutching device, as hereinafter explained. The bottom of the box containing the clutching device is provided with a suitable recess 64, Figs. 11, 12, and 13. 65 is a plate adapted to slide in this recess. The box is also provided underneath this plate with a slot 66, (see Fig. 13,) and below the box is another plate 67, with a projecting portion or lug 68 on its upper side adapted to move back and forth in The plates 65 and 67 are fastened together by bolts or in any other suit able way, as shown. To theplate 67 is fastened a connecting-rod 69 by means of a universal joint. The plate (37, and by means of it the sliding plate 65, is reciprocated back and forth by means of the connecting-rod 69, which in turn is connected with the automatic devices for stopping the motion of the sawframes, as will be hereinafter explained.

70 isa sliding plate carrying a clutch, which is adapted to connect or disconnect the two shafts 38 and 45. This sliding plate is adapted to slide in ways or grooves formed by the plates 71 and, as shown, moves upon the upper surface of the sliding plate 65.

The two sliding plates 70 and 65 are connected together by a spring connection.

72,'Figs. 11 and 12, is arock-shaft turning in bearings in the supporting-box. 73 is a crank-arm connected with the lower end of this shaft and fastened at its outer end by a pin-and-slot connection to the plate 67, and thereby to the sliding plate 65.

74 is a flat spring which may be made of several sections or blades and which is fastened at one end to the upper end of the rockshaft 72 and at the other end projects into a recess formed in the head of a pin 75, which is screwed into the upper sliding plate 70. When the plate 65is moved in one direction, the crank-arm 73 is turned so as to revolve the rock-shaft 72, and thereby throw the spring 74 in the same direction. This tends to make the sliding plate 70 move with the plate 65. The movement of the plate 70 is, however, partially controlled by the pawls 7G and 77, which are pivoted to one of the plates 71 and are adapted to engage in recesses 78 78 formed in the upper sliding plate 70. These pawls are moved in one direction by the springs 7!), bearing against the outer surface of the pawl, and are moved in the other direction by the inner arms 80 and 81 of the pawls. The lower sliding plate 65 is provided with projections or lugs 82 83, which are adapted to strike against the arms 80 and S1 of the pawls, so as to withdraw the pawls from the recesses 78 in the upper plate 70. These projections or lugs are provided with screws, as shown, the ends of which are adapted to strike against the arms 80 and 81. By means of these screws the operation of the device can be properly adjusted, so that the pawls will be withdrawn from the plate 70 at the proper time.

Then the upper plate 70 is moved to its extreme position in one direction, the pawl at that end engages with the recess 78 at that end of the plate and holds it in that position. When the lower plate 65 is thrown in the other direction, the spring 74 is turned or bent in that direction andtends to throw the upper plate 70 in the same direction; but the upper plate is held in position by its retained pawl. WVhen, however, the lower plate 65 has moved so far in the direction referred to that the pin in the projecting lug S2 or 83 strikes against the inner arm of the pawl, the pawl is disengaged from the plate 7 O, and the spring 7st operates to throw the upper plate 70 in the same direction.

The plate 70 is provided on one side with the recess 84, into which the dog 57 is adapted to be forced by the operation of the spring 63. When the spring 74 throws the upper plate 70 in one direction or the other in the way already described, the moment the plate 70 reaches its middle position the dog 57 is forced into the slot Se and holds the plate 70 in this position until the dog 57 is withdrawn 

